Duplicating device



JOHN CHIEN-KUEN KIANG 2,911,906

vDUPLICATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 27, 1957 Nov. l0, 1959 INVENTOR.

United States Patent DUPLICATING DEVICE John Chien-Kuen Kiang, Lincoln, Nebr. Application August 27, 1957, Serial No. 680,506 4 Claims. (Cl. `lol- 425) rI`his invention relates to a duplicating device and more particularly one in which a small stencil may be used to imprint call numbers on library cards or the like.

It is general practice in libraries to use cards to catalog books, periodicals and other materials in the library to Ifacilitate ready location of any desired work. These books and periodicals are indexed under the name of the author and also under the name of the Isubject and in several other manners, using a code number for Athe material in each instance, this coded number being referred to as the call number. The total number of catalog cards for a book or other material runs from a few to hundreds. The catalog cards themselves are relatively small and on each one must be imprinted the call number.

A call number contains a variety of individual letters and numerals arranged in different sequences, and it is customary to type it on the upper left hand corner of the catalog card. Each card must be individually typed. The call number also has to be typed on book pocket, order card, temporary cards, and other places for identification or recording. This repeated typing takes a great deal of time and presents the opportunity for error.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide a device in which a stencil, bearing the call number, may be positioned for repetitive printing by the :movement of a manually operated plunger.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide :a device in which the aforementioned stencil may be readily and easily inserted and removed.

It is still another object of my invention to provide :a device in which the stencil carrier is such that the in- ,sertion or removal of the stencil will not cause -smudging -or other unwanted ink deposits.

It is still another object of my invention to provide :a device in which the ink pad, stencil, and inking plunger :are all contained within a single enclosure -to secure :and maintain cleanliness.

It is yet a further object of my invention to provide :a device in which an ink reservoir is positioned near the inking means to permit ready re-inking thereof.

Other and further features and objects of the invention `will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a iconsideration of the accompanying drawings and following specifications, wherein is disclosed a single exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the understanding, '.however, that such changes may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims without depart- :ing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawings:

Figure l is a three-quarter view in perspective of a device constructed according to my invention, the end portion thereof having been broken away to show the .internal mechanism.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the device taken 2,911,906 Patented Nov. 1l),` 1959v ICC at 2-2 of Figure l, showing the plunger in raised position.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the device taken Figure 6 is a bottom view of the main body castingy to show the position of the inking grooves.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1; the device consists generally of a ilat base portion or anvil 11, a case 12, a cover 13, and a plunger or hammer 14. The case is positioned on the base and has' a plurality of feet, such as 15, which elevate it a slight distance above the plane of the base itself. This elevation provides two slots or openings, slot 16 which extends along the sides of the case to permit the introductionpof a card or the like into the printing area, a second slot 17 which provides an opening to permit the placing of a stencil within the stencil carrier, which will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, I will describe the mechanism contained within the case 12, including the cover 13 which is fastened to the top of the case by means of screws 18 and 19. rThis cover has a lip 20 whichl extends out beyond the edge of the case. Depending downwardly from this lip is a shoulder portion 21 whichv is of such a size' as to fit within thecasing. Extending outwardly from this shoulder on two sides thereof are semi-circular bosses 22 and 23. These bosses both have circular grooves such as 24 and 25. D own through the and 31 which are so positioned and sized as to matev with the bosses A22 and 23 on the cover portion. This body casting also has an upwardly extendingV circular wall portion 32 which is adapted to extend upwardly through the opening in the cover. The upper portion of this circular wall section is threaded at 33 to receive the plunger cap 14. The linternal portion of the body casting is hollow to provide a well which is adapted to hold fluid ink. In the bottom of thisy wellis a small opening 36. The inking pad 37 is positioned below this -circular opening, the opening being adapted to permit the passage from the ink well or reservoir into the inkingV pad. Transverse s lots, suchI as shown in Figure 6 at 38 and 39, are provided in the bottom face of this body casting to permit the distribution of ink over the inking pad 37.

To provide a closure for the opening v36, 'the cap has a downwardly extending stein 40, the lowermost end,

of it being pointed as at 4I 'to meet withrthe opening in the well or reservoir. Since the cap is threaded to` the body portion, it will at once be apparent that by turning the cap upwardly, the opening will be exposed and the ink will ow therethrough, and also that by turning the cap downwardly, the opening will be closed.

'Referring now again to the bossed portions of the cover and body portions; these, as previously described, are mating portions 22' and 28,v being in alignment with each other, and `23 and'29 are in alignment with each other on the opposite side. The grooved portions are provided to permit the positioning therein of two rubber 0 rings, such as indicated at 34 of Figure 3. These O rings normally hold the lower face 51 of kthe cover portion 21 in contact with the upper face 52 of the body casting. Obviously when the plunger is pushed downwardly, the O rings are stretched. The body castings move downwardly in relation to the cover, since this cover is iixedly mounted on the case. When pressure is released on the plunger, the O rings draw the body castings upwardly again into position against the cover.

The nature of the mechanism which carries and holds the stencil in position is of considerable importance in the practice of my invention. This stencil carriage, shown generally at 43, is positioned within the casing 12 and below the body casting. It includes a rectangular frame member having two inwardly extending lips 44 and 45 on the upper face of the frame. On the lower face is the rectangular indented portion 46 which is of such size as to receive the stencil, ,such as is shown in Figure 5. The stencil is of the type having a rectangular outer frame and a thickness of the stencil prop er mounted in the frame. It is this paper on which the call number is typed. On this lower face of the carrier 43 is positioned a thin metal frame 47. The stencil slides into position in the recessed portion of the frame 43 between the face thereof and the metal frame 47. Both frames 43 and 47 have rec` tangular openings therein to make room for the passage of the inking pad 37.

Also within this frame, held in position by the lips 44 and 45, is a second rectangular frame 48 which also has an opening therethrough to permit the passage of the inking pad 37. This second frame is fastened to the lower face of the body casting and has outwardly extending lips 49 which extend a sufficient distance outwardly to engage the inwardly extending flanges 4S and 44 of the frame member 43. It will be apparent that as the body casting is drawn upwardly, the inner frame will draw the outer frame upwardly at the same time. As the plunger is pushed downwardly, therframe member 43 will come to rest on the card to be imprinted. Since this outer frame or stencil carrier is approximately the same dimensions as the internal dimensions of the casing, this holds the stencil rigidly in position on the card to be imprinted. The continuous application of downward forces of the plunger causes the body casting to move downwardly until the inking pad is in contact with the stencil and the imprint subsequently made on the card below. When the body casting moves upwardly', the stencil carrier is also drawn upwardly and clear of the card in order that it may be pulled out of the device without smudging or other damage.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a device which, through the medium of an easily typed stencil, can be used to imprint duplicate markings on a series of indexing cards of various types. The device contains an ink reservoir and may be provided with a supply of ink which will permit long usage without refilling. When the plunger is pushed downwardly` the stencil is automatically positioned on the card and the base 11 serves as an anvil on which the inking pad rests during the printing operation. Regardless of the pressure that might be applied, the imprint made will be uniform from one card to another. The device may be readily disassembled for cleaning by removal Vof the two screws 18 and 19. The stencil carrier has an open portion on one end at 50 which permits it to be removed from the body casting for separate cleaning.

lAlthough I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications thereof may be made by those skilled in the art. Such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. I n a duplicating device, a base, a casing mounted on sald base, a slot intermediate of said base and said casing adapted to receive cards or the like, a plunger having a horizontally extending upper surface, said plunger being resiliently mounted in said casing and adapted to vertical movement, a stencil carrying frame loosely mounted for limited free Vertical movement on the lower portion of said plunger said mounting including an outwardly extending flange on said stencil frame positioned to overlap said horizontally extending surface of said plunger, an inking pad xedly attached to said plunger, said stencil carrier, inking pad, and plunger being positioned thereby to move downwardly toward said base portion, and a stencil positioned in said loose stencil carrier interposed between said inking pad and said base porL tion whereby downward pressure of said plunger will first cause said stencil frame to Contact said base and, secondly, to cause said inking pad to contact said base permitting ink to be imprinted through said stencil Upon a card or the like positioned in said aforementioned slot.

2. In a duplicating device of the type described having a base portion and a casing portion mounted thereon, a slotted opening intermediate of said casing and said base, a stencil carrier loosely positioned in said casing portion and adapted to vertical movement therein, a second slotted opening angularly disposed in said casing portion and adapted to permit insertion of a stencil there through to said stencil carrier said carrier being loosely mounted on said plunger for free vertical movement relative thereto, a plunger positioned above said stencil carrier, an inking pad positioned on said plunger, said plunge and said inking pad being positioned for vertical movement within said casing, whereby a card or the like positioned in said rst mentioned slotted opening will be brought into first contact with said stencil carrier, and sccond contact with said inking pad as said plunger is moved in a downwardly direction.

3. In a device of the type described, a base portion, a casing portion mounted thereon, a cover portion mounted on said casing, a plunger, an opening in said cover portion adapted to receive said plunger, resilient means operatively connecting said plunger and said cover portion, an inking pad positioned on the lowermost portion of said plunger, a reservoir within said plunger having an opening in communication with said inking pad, cap means Von said plunger adapted to selectively open and close said opening, and stencil carrying means positioned on said plunger adjacent said inking pad, wherebydownward pressure on said plunger will cause an ink transfer from said reservoir through said pad and said stencil.

4. In a duplicating device, a base, a casing mounted on said base, a slot intermediate of said base and said casing adapted to receive a card or the like, a card, a plunger resiliently mounted in said casing and adapted for vertical movement, a stencil, a stencil carrying frame loosely mounted in the lower portion of said plunger for free vertical movement relative thereto, an inking pad iixedly attached to said plunger, said stencil carrier, inking pad, and plunger being positioned relative to each other whereby a downward movement of said plunger shall first cause said stencil frame to engage the card or lthe like and secondly cause said pad to engage said card or the like, said stencil carrying frame having a slot along one side thereof, a second slot in said casing adapted for registry with said slot in said stencil carriage, whereby said stencil may be moved laterally through said easing slot and said stencil carrier slot into a position beneath said plunger and said inking pad.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,162,102 McKune June 13, 19,39 

